Tensions flared at a public forum in New Durham last night as some residents voiced their concerns over the board of selectmen's decision to fire the town's police chief.

Tensions flared at a public forum in New Durham last night as some residents voiced their concerns over the board of selectmen's decision to fire the town's police chief.

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Updated: 8:36 AM EDT Aug 7, 2015

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WEBVTT PEOPLE IN NEW DURHAM ARE FIGHTING BACK AFTER THE BOARD FIRED THE TOWN'S POLICE CHIEF. THEY HAD A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN DURING A FORUM LAST NIGHT. SOME OF THEM SAY IT IS SYMPTOMMIC -- SYMPTOMATIC OF THE LARGER ISSUE IN TOWN. RAY: THE RESIDENTS SAY FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THEIR TOWN JOBS. THAT'S RAISING SOME RED FLAGS. YOU PEOPLE WERE LIED TO BY SELECTMAN VICKFORD, YOU WERE LIED TO BY GREG ANTHONYS. YOU GOT TO REMEMBER THAT WHEN YOU VOTE. RAY: A FIERY CITIZENS FORUM THURSDAY NIGHT. TOWN MODERATOR ORGANIZED THE MEETING BECAUSE THERE'S THE DISCONDUCT BETWEEN NEIGHBORS AND NEW DURHAM SELECTMAN. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON. REALLY THEY DO WORK FOR US. WE'RE TRYING TO TELL THEM WE WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN THESE DECISIONS. RAY: ON JULY 23RD, THE BOARDS SELECTMAN VOTED TO FIRE POLICE CHIEF SHAWN BERNIER. SELECTMAN SAID THE CONTRACT GAVE THE BOARD THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE HIM WITHOUT CAUSE. CHASE SAYS THIS IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST ONE JOB. THE TURN OVER IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS -- THERE'S MORE THAN 20 PEOPLE. WE'RE ON OUR FIFTH BUILDING INSPECTOR. WE'RE ON OUR FIFTH FINANCE OFFICER. WE'VE HAD TURN OVER IN JUST ABOUT EVERY DEPARTMENT. RAY: RESIDENTS SIGNED A COMPLAINT SAYING TWO SELECTMAN CONDUCTED BUSINESS IN PRIVATE. THE BACKLASH AFTER BERNIER WAS FIRED FACTORED INTO HIS DECISION TO STEP DOWN FROM HIS POST. THE LEVEL OF DISRESPECT AMONG SOME PEOPLE AND THE -- JUST THE OVERALL, YOU KNOW, MORAL OF THE WHOLE TOWN HASN'T BEEN VERY PLEASANT LATELY. YOU REACH A POINT WHERE YOU DON'T WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH SOMETHING LIKE THAT. RAY: HE SAYS HE WILL BE STEPPING DOWN AT THE END OF THE MONTH. THE FORMER POLICE CHIEF IS SUING THE TOWN FOR

New Durham residents voice concerns about administrative turnover

Tensions flared at a public forum in New Durham last night as some residents voiced their concerns over the board of selectmen's decision to fire the town's police chief.